By the time you finish reading this story, a woman will have been killed by a partner or close relative

Beyond physical and emotional harm, violence against women undermines health, education, and the livelihoods of entire communities. It has far-reaching societal and economic impacts, with some countries losing up to 4% of their GDP annually due to women being forced out of the workforce and girls leaving school.

Across the European Union, the cost of gender-based violence is estimated at $384 billion a year, with violence against women accounting for 79% of this figure.

It’s not just an annoying distraction from going to Walmart with your mom.

@paradasiasome of you guys are failing to realize most bears dont attack you unless you provoke them or frighten them AND YES IK MY LASHES ARE MESSED UP LOL woods with a bear or man♬ original sound – ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

Or, eating a sandwich in peace.

@audweeeyi get so uncomfortable idk what to do & he was so persistent♬ original sound – Audrey

It’s a worldwide epidemic that thrives in a variety of forms, including intimate partner violence, harassment, exploitation, child, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and human trafficking.

And during humanitarian crises, when basic structures break down, the risks grow even greater.

A world #Withoutfear

CARE’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence invites everyone to imagine a world #WithoutFear — a world where women can walk home at night, work without harassment, and pursue their dreams without the shadow of violence looming over them.

In this world, life would be different in Afghanistan, where, by mid-2024, 64% of women reported feeling “not at all” safe leaving home alone—compared to just 2% of men. It would transform life for the girls in Yemen who would no longer fear for their safety on the way to school, where an estimated 60 million of them globally experience sexual assault each year.

All around this world without fear, women and girls would have the freedom to live safely, irrespective of their location or circumstances.

This freedom from violence wouldn’t just improve individual lives—it would strengthen entire communities. It would allow girls to stay in school, women to participate fully in the workforce, and societies to thrive.

It would make safety and dignity rights, not privileges.

How you can help

By signing the petition at care.org/WithoutFear, you can join with CARE and its ally organizations like @metoomvmt to urge Congress to fund vital programs that fight gender-based violence.

This funding is crucial for supporting women-led organizations working on the frontlines, ensuring survivors receive the care they need and communities are equipped to prevent violence from the onset of crises.

Every action counts. Together, we can create a world where safety and dignity are not aspirations but realities for all women and girls.